Continuing to develop their Indigenous learning program, St Canice's Primary Katoomba will be holding a meet and greet event for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families from Katoomba and surrounds.
The school, which is holding the day on November 20, is proud of its connections with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community including local Elders Aunty Carol Cooper OAM and Uncle Chris Tobin.
Families will be able to enjoy a cuppa, a yarn and enjoy a tour of the school along with meeting the Principal, Aunty Carol and staff, including diversity teacher Rosemary Gillespie, who brings to the school years of experience working with Indigenous communities.
"I regularly consult with Uncle Chris and Aunty Alexa Watanabe, Kindergarten, with Aunty Carol about the work that we've been doing," said Ms Gillespie.
"Their hopes are that children have an appreciation and an understanding of the environment, the Blue Mountains and themselves as global citizens so they can make informed choices about their role in the world as custodians, because we're all custodians of this land."
Ms Gillespie, who spent seven years living and working in Arnhem Land, the Kimberley region, Broome, the Torres Strait Islands and remote parts of the Cape York Peninsula, will take up a new role as the school's Indigenous education teacher in 2024.
Under the guidance of Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese's Jarara Cultural Centre, St Canice's recently completed the first term of a new Sky Country Dreaming Indigenous education program.
"This is about developing understanding and respect among our children for our Aboriginal people, their knowledge and skills, and how they have created and cared for our land," Principal Miriam Meaney said.
The school hosts regular cultural events for NAIDOC Week, Sorry Day, National Recognition Week, as well as Three Sisters Immersion Day and cultural talks and presentations from local Elders.
"St Canice's is the place to be for our Indigenous families. It is a school that has invested so much in developing a culture of understanding about our Indigenous culture and history," said Ms Meaney.
"It is a school that will say Yes to Indigenous families who want to enrol their children and will ensure they can get an excellent education without parents having to worry about the cost."
Learn more about the Jarara program
Blue Mountains Gazette
Katoomba news, sport and weather.
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07 Aug 2025
St Canice's Brekky Club
All students are invited to join the St Canice's Brekky Club. Brekky Club will now run on Thursdays – 7th, 21st, and 28th August.
30 Jul 2025
Little Lyrebirds Playgroup
Little Lyrebirds Playgroup is a FREE event for all little ones aged 0 - 6. Held at St Canice's Primary School every Wednesday of the school term, 9am-10:30am. Everyone is welcome.
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24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
💛 Double Your Impact TOMORROW! 💛 Tomorrow, Wednesday, 25 March, every online donation our school raises for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion will be MATCHED – doubling the impact of your gift! That means: ✨ $50 becomes $100 ✨ $100 becomes $200 ✨ $200 becomes $400 ⏰ Dollar Match Day begins at 10:00am (AEDT) This Lent, St Canice's Primary School - Katoomba is proud to support Project Compassion, standing in solidarity with communities around the world facing poverty and hardship. Together, we can help provide access to clean water, healthcare and safe shelter, while empowering people to build sustainable futures with dignity and hope. Don't Forget 📅 Wednesday 25 March (Week 9) 🕦 11:30am – 1:20pm We warmly invite you to join us for a special event: 💧 Living Water – A Holy Week Pilgrimage and Harmony Feast ✨ Pilgrimage (11:30am–12:20pm) Students will journey through key moments of Holy Week, reflecting on Christ’s love and the reality of communities who walk daily for water. 🍽️ Harmony Feast (12:40pm–1:20pm) Celebrate the diversity of our school by sharing food and culture together. Families are invited to bring a plate that represents their heritage or a meaningful tradition (please include an ingredient list). Food can be dropped to the hall from 8:30am. 💛 Support Our Fundraiser Every dollar raised helps create real and lasting change. 👉 Donate here: https://www.projectcompassion.org.au/fundraisers/stcanicesprimaryschoolkatoomba?utm_source=qr&utm_medium=print&fbclid=IwY2xjawQuzZtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFETTNQSzltZ0hjQUd1REI4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgm3dxoJS2bYZOvx6e38V0ZaT0XjDvK4qef0Q1GhzOd_ZZrgdWuIEf2lbMs0_aem_WtDInChKhcwh4jEQ8Mwimw Thank you for standing with us this Lent — together, we can make a difference. #ProjectCompassion #CaritasAustralia #StCanices #LivingWater #Lent #MakeADifference
24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🌊 Kindergarten Coastal Creations 🌊 Our Kindergarten students have been exploring the natural features of the coast in HSIE (Human Society and its Environment), and what a fantastic learning experience it has been! Using a variety of natural and craft materials including sand, shells, rocks, leaves, twigs and blue cellophane for water, students created their own beautiful coastal dioramas. 🐚🌿 These creative projects helped bring their learning to life while showcasing their imagination and understanding of coastal environments. What fun we had creating and learning together! 💙 #Kindergarten #HSIE #CreativeLearning #stcaniceskatoomba💙
MORE NEWS
24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
💛 Double Your Impact TOMORROW! 💛 Tomorrow, Wednesday, 25 March, every online donation our school raises for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion will be MATCHED – doubling the impact of your gift! That means: ✨ $50 becomes $100 ✨ $100 becomes $200 ✨ $200 becomes $400 ⏰ Dollar Match Day begins at 10:00am (AEDT) This Lent, St Canice's Primary School - Katoomba is proud to support Project Compassion, standing in solidarity with communities around the world facing poverty and hardship. Together, we can help provide access to clean water, healthcare and safe shelter, while empowering people to build sustainable futures with dignity and hope. Don't Forget 📅 Wednesday 25 March (Week 9) 🕦 11:30am – 1:20pm We warmly invite you to join us for a special event: 💧 Living Water – A Holy Week Pilgrimage and Harmony Feast ✨ Pilgrimage (11:30am–12:20pm) Students will journey through key moments of Holy Week, reflecting on Christ’s love and the reality of communities who walk daily for water. 🍽️ Harmony Feast (12:40pm–1:20pm) Celebrate the diversity of our school by sharing food and culture together. Families are invited to bring a plate that represents their heritage or a meaningful tradition (please include an ingredient list). Food can be dropped to the hall from 8:30am. 💛 Support Our Fundraiser Every dollar raised helps create real and lasting change. 👉 Donate here: https://www.projectcompassion.org.au/fundraisers/stcanicesprimaryschoolkatoomba?utm_source=qr&utm_medium=print&fbclid=IwY2xjawQuzZtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFETTNQSzltZ0hjQUd1REI4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgm3dxoJS2bYZOvx6e38V0ZaT0XjDvK4qef0Q1GhzOd_ZZrgdWuIEf2lbMs0_aem_WtDInChKhcwh4jEQ8Mwimw Thank you for standing with us this Lent — together, we can make a difference. #ProjectCompassion #CaritasAustralia #StCanices #LivingWater #Lent #MakeADifference
24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🌊 Kindergarten Coastal Creations 🌊 Our Kindergarten students have been exploring the natural features of the coast in HSIE (Human Society and its Environment), and what a fantastic learning experience it has been! Using a variety of natural and craft materials including sand, shells, rocks, leaves, twigs and blue cellophane for water, students created their own beautiful coastal dioramas. 🐚🌿 These creative projects helped bring their learning to life while showcasing their imagination and understanding of coastal environments. What fun we had creating and learning together! 💙 #Kindergarten #HSIE #CreativeLearning #stcaniceskatoomba💙
24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🎨 Celebrating Our Community Through Art 🎨 Blue Mountains Cultural Centre is currently showcasing Blue Mountains Portraits 2026, a special exhibition celebrating the people who make our local community so unique. Running from 21 February – 19 April, this annual exhibition features over forty artworks across a wide range of styles including painting, photography, drawing, collage and mixed media. Each piece tells the story of a local personality, capturing the rich and diverse fabric of the Blue Mountains. We are especially proud to share that 10 St Canice’s students have their work included in this exhibition! 👏 These students created their portraits with Ms Dani in 2025 and submitted them to be part of this inspiring community showcase. If you’re in the area, we encourage you to visit and support these talented young artists along with the many incredible local contributors. #BlueMountainsPortraits #StCanices #StudentArt #BlueMountainsCommunity #StCanicesKatoomba
23 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🌿 Uniting Against Poverty this Lent 🌿 Dear Parents and Families, This Lent, our school community is proud to support Project Compassion, standing in solidarity with communities around the world facing poverty and hardship. Together, we can help provide access to life’s essentials—clean water, healthcare, and safe shelter—while empowering people to build sustainable futures with dignity and hope. 📅 Wednesday 25 March (Week 9) 🕦 11:30am – 1:20pm We warmly invite you to join us for a special event: 💧 Living Water – A Holy Week Pilgrimage and Harmony Feast ✨ Pilgrimage (11:30am–12:20pm) Students will journey through key moments of Holy Week, reflecting on Christ’s love and the reality of communities who walk daily for water. 🍽️ Harmony Feast (12:40pm–1:20pm) Celebrate the beautiful diversity of our school by sharing food and culture together. Families are invited to bring a plate that represents their heritage or a meaningful tradition (ingredient list appreciated). Food can be dropped to the hall from 8:30am. 💛 Support Our Fundraiser Every dollar raised helps create real and lasting change for vulnerable communities. 👉 Donate here: https://www.projectcompassion.org.au/fundraisers/stcanicesprimaryschoolkatoomba?utm_source=qr&utm_medium=print Thank you for standing with us as we unite against poverty this Lent. Together, we can make a difference.
22 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Brekky Club got off to a great start, thanks to our fantastic volunteers and a great turnout from our families. Don't forget! Last Brekky Club of Term 1 is on Thurs 2 April:)
22 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🐣🎩 Easter Hat Parade – TOMORROW Monday 23rd March at 8:50am 🐰🌸 We’re excited for our Easter Hat Parade tomorrow! Children are invited to come along wearing their Easter hats and join in the fun. Younger siblings are also welcome to take part in the parade. Please remember there’s no need to go to any expense—homemade and simple hats are absolutely perfect! We can’t wait to see everyone’s creative ideas. 🎨🐥
21 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🎨👨👩👧👦 Check out the beautiful Family Portraits our Kindergarten students have been creating with our specialist art teacher, Ms Dani! The students explored colour, shapes, and lots of creativity while drawing the special people in their families. Each portrait is full of personality, imagination, and love 💛 We are so proud of the effort our young artists put into their work, and it’s wonderful to see how unique every family portrait is. Take a look at some of their amazing creations below! 👇✨ #KindergartenArt #YoungArtists #FamilyPortraits #CreativeKids #stcaniceskatoomba💙🩵
20 Mar 2026
From Facebook
While our dedicated year 3's were focussing on Naplan, Year 4 continued work on writing different rhythms using the notes they were reading on the clef (Treble, Alto, Bass) specific to their instrument during their strings lesson, this week. Their musical knowledge is improving greatly. #LoveLiveLearn #StCanicesPrimary #stcanicesprimaryschool #cspdparramatta #captivatestringsprogram #strings #stcanicesmusic #MusicEducation #Year4Strings #stcaniceskatoombamusic
20 Mar 2026
From Facebook
20 Mar 2026
From Facebook
✏️🏙️ Our talented Year 6 artists have been working on pencil sketches using two-point perspective with our specialist art teacher, Ms Dani! Students explored how artists create depth and dimension by using vanishing points and perspective lines to design their own detailed scenes. It was fantastic to see their focus, creativity, and growing confidence as they experimented with this new drawing technique. We are so proud of the effort and persistence our students showed while developing their artistic skills. Their finished sketches look amazing! 👏✨ Take a look at some of the impressive work from our Year 6 artists below. #Year6Art #TwoPointPerspective #StudentArtists #CreativeLearning #stcaniceskatoomba💙🩵
19 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🎨 Stage 3 Exploring the Elements of Design 🎨 Our Stage 3 students have been exploring the elements of design through the work of famous artist Piet Mondrian. Inspired by his bold use of lines, shapes and primary colours, students created their own striking artworks using the distinctive Mondrian style. By carefully arranging vertical and horizontal lines and filling spaces with red, blue and yellow, students experimented with balance, composition and colour while developing their understanding of design. We love seeing their creativity and thoughtful designs come to life. Fantastic work, Stage 3! 🖌️✨ #Stage3Art #ElementsOfDesign #MondrianInspired #CreativeStudents #stcaniceskatoomba💙🩵
18 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🎨 Stage 1 Art with Ms Dani 🎨 Our Stage 1 students have been busy exploring lines in art with our specialist art teacher, Ms Dani. Using watercolours and 3D sculpture techniques, the students experimented with different types of lines to create texture, movement and form in their artworks. It was wonderful to see their creativity come to life as they transformed simple lines into colourful paintings and imaginative 3D pieces. We are so proud of the creativity, focus and enthusiasm shown by our young artists. Well done, Stage 1! 🖌️✨ #Stage1Art #CreativeLearning #SchoolArt #YoungArtists #stcaniceskatoomba💙🩵
17 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🎨 Kindergarten Self-Portraits with Ms Dani! 🎨 Our Kindergarten artists had a wonderful time creating self-portraits with our specialised art teacher Ms Dani! Using a fun blow-ink technique combined with watercolours, the children explored colour, movement and creativity while making their unique portraits. Watching the ink spread and form amazing patterns was such an exciting part of the process! Each artwork is as unique as the artist who created it, and we are so proud of their imagination and effort. 🌈🖌️ Well done, Kindergarten! We love seeing your creativity shine. #KindergartenArt #SelfPortraits #CreativeKids #LearningThroughArt #stcaniceskatoomba
16 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Sunshine, smiles, and lots of playground fun today! ☀️😊 Our students loved spending time outside enjoying the beautiful weather, playing with friends, and making the most of the sunshine. It’s wonderful to see so many happy faces in the playground! Days like these are perfect for fresh air, laughter, and a little extra energy before heading back to class. 🌳⚽ #PlaygroundFun #HappyStudents #SchoolLife #stcaniceskatoomba💙🩵
13 Mar 2026
From Facebook
☕ Parent and Carers CAFE Meeting – Thursday 19th March at 2:00pm Parents and Carers are warmly invited to attend our CAFE meeting in the Library. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families and help support and strengthen our school community at St Canice’s in 2026. We would love for you to join us! 💛